I don't know if it is a good thing but I am back. AND I have had lots of time to think about stuff but no way to write it down. So here goes.
I was watching the hearing this morning...you know...the one by the Senate Armed Forces Committee lead by John McCain. James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, was testifying at the hearing. It went on for two hours and most of that time was taken up by the agencies information on Russian hacking of the Democratic party's accounts and how our soon to be president's comments affected the agency's people. It seems that Clapper and those around him felt "disparaged" by the remarks make by our soon to be president.
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As I listened to the voices, it hit me right between the eyes that the head of the intelligence agencies and those that work with those departments are real people that take offense when they are "disparaged".
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| Amman from the hilltop Citadel...a city of real people. |
The the key part of the above sentence are the words real people.
As you know we have just returned from a trip to the Middle East where we visited Jordan. I don't know what I expected but the fact that the Jordanian are real people never entered my mind. But there it was. We could feel an emotional reaction to our presence in their country caught between Saudi Arabia and Israel. They were real people that worked for the American Embassy and drove taxis and guarded the roads. Real people.
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| Our taxi driver works with the embassy. This was his story...a road filled with checkpoints. |
It wasn't the inconvenience to the American Embassy or even the government of Jordan that hit me as much as it was the work that the cooks and the taxi drivers and all the ordinary people had done. It was almost painful to listen to the story of them waiting for her visit. It was very important to them.
See, I don't think it occurs to very important people that there are real people touched by their every act and word.
As I read my Facebook entries today, I was really very depressed by the fact that people don't realize that the people both average and important are indeed real people. Facebook users feel detached enough that they say things that don't make good sense, are not really true and are hurtful. They feel free to do those things because they are pretty sure that they will never meet any of those people face to face.
As for our soon to be president, I don't think he has taken it all in yet...he will stand face to face with the people he attacks. That is a whole lot different that using Twitter...a whole lot different.
Is there a point to all this? I don't know if there is or not. But it sure has been on my mind. What do you think?
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It is a GREAT thing that you are back, Barbara. You have insightful things to say, and important reminders to share. This post was no exception. Our world is full of REAL people. Our actions DO affect those around us. Thank you for this very timely reminder.
ReplyDeleteWhen I travel I am alway struck by the emotional connection I feel to the people. I am not a museum lover now do I read guide books normally. Yet I come away with stories and an emotional connection to the country we have visited. I think that I am very lucky.
DeleteWelcome home, Barbara. And yes, we are ALL real people, trying our best to make our way through the maze of today's confusing world. I don't know what to say about the political situation we face, but I can only hope for the best. What else can any of us do? Thanks for returning and being a witness to those you met while traveling in the Middle East. I mean it, thanks. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome DJan. But I think that I am more grateful to you for being a reader. Words are meant to be read aren't they. Otherwise we are simply singing to the choir.
DeleteBe well and Happy New Year.
Warm greetings and Happy New Year from Montreal, Canada. Many of us here were surprised to see Donald Trump win the election. Yes, he will have to face up to his responsibilities; I just hope he does well. Only time will tell. I love the bikes in your header, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. The bikes are the ones that Portland has for visitors. You cam simply rent one and ride the streets of the downtown area. Aren't they beautiful?
DeleteI would love to hear your story. Let me know if you'd like to get together for lunch or dinner.
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely. Let me know when you are free and congratulations on catching the havalinas. I see they ate some of my lettuce last night. They are stinkers aren't they.
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